Pine Ridge Man Indicted for Aiding and Abetting in Assault

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Pine Ridge man was indicted by a federal grand jury for aiding and abetting in the assault of another man at Pine Ridge on October 16, 2012.

William Clifford, age 24, was indicted on October 23, 2012 for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Clifford appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on February 12, 2013 and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years' imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The charges are merely an accusation and Clifford is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Shattuck is prosecuting the case. Clifford was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. A trial date has not been set.